Dry capacitor circuit interrupter

Abstract

A dry capacitor interrupter employs a sealed container spaced about a dry capacitor to contain gas emitted upon failure of the dry capacitor and to thereby permit gas pressure to develop within the container regardless of the location on the dry capacitor from which the gas is emitted. A deformable cover on the container is deformed outward by the gas pressure to thereby break a connection between a terminal stud and a tab within the container. The breakage of the connection effectively removes the dry capacitor from electrical connection to external circuits.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A dry capacitor system comprising: a dry capacitor;   said dry capacitor including at least a capacitor roll;   a can surrounding said capacitor roll;   means for securing said capacitor roll within said can;   said can having a dimension sufficient to provide a space between it and said capacitor roll;   a sealing cover sealingly closing said can;   said sealing cover being of a type which is deformable under a gas pressure within said can;   at least one terminal passing sealably through said cover;   a terminal stud extending through said terminal and having an inner end terminating within said can;   at least one tab connected to said capacitor roll;   said tab extending from said capacitor roll into contact with said inner end;   means for affixing said tab to said inner end;   a circuit interrupter at an interface of said tab and said inner end; and   said circuit interrupter including means responsive to a deformation of said cover for breaking said means for affixing whereby said dry capacitor is removed from an electrical circuit.   
     
     
       2. A dry capacitor according to claim 1 wherein said means responsive to a deformation includes a bridge member, said bridge member including at least one hole therein, said inner end passing through said hole, said hole being sized to prevent passage of said tab therethrough, said bridge member including means effective for applying a separating force to said means for affixing in response to said deformation of said cover. 
     
     
       3. A dry capacitor according to claim 1 wherein said dry capacitor includes a casing, said casing including at least a thermosetting resin surrounding said capacitor roll. 
     
     
       4. A dry capacitor according to claim 3 wherein said means for securing said capacitor roll includes a layer of adhesive between an outside bottom of said casing and an inside bottom of said can. 
     
     
       5. A dry capacitor according to claim 3 wherein said casing incudes a cup-like container and said thermosetting resin is cast in said cup-like container. 
     
     
       6. A dry capacitor according to claim 5 wherein said cup-like container is a plastic container. 
     
     
       7. A dry capacitor according to claim 5 wherein said cup-like container is a metal container. 
     
     
       8. A dry capacitor according to claim 5 wherein said means for securing said capacitor roll includes a layer of adhesive between an outside bottom of said cup-like container and an inside bottom of said can. 
     
     
       9. A dry capacitor according to claim 5 wherein said cup-like container incudes an open top and said at least one tab extends through said open top. 
     
     
       10. A dry capacitor system comprising: a dry capacitor;   said dry capacitor including at least a capacitor roll;   a cup-like container surrounding said capacitor roll;   a thermosetting resin substantially filling said cup-like container and encapsulating said capacitor roll;   a can surrounding said cup-like container;   a layer of adhesive between an outside bottom of said cup-like container and an inside bottom of said can, said layer of adhesive being effective for securing said dry capacitor within said can;   said can having a dimension sufficient to provide a space between it and said cup-like container;   a sealing cover sealingly closing said can;   said sealing cover being of a type which is deformable under a gas pressure within said can;   at least one terminal passing sealably through said cover;   a terminal stud extending through said terminal and having an inner end terminating within said can;   at least one tab connected to said capacitor roll;   said tab extending from said capacitor roll into contact with said inner end;   means for affixing said tab to said inner end;   a circuit interrupter at an interface of said tab and said inner end; and   said circuit interrupter including a bridge member, said bridge member including at least one hole therein, said inner end passing through said hole, said hole being sized to prevent passage of said tab therethrough, said bridge member including means effective for applying a separating force to said means for affixing in response to said deformation of said cover said separating force being effective for breaking said means for affixing whereby said dry capacitor is removed from an electrical circuit.